What is the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program?
The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program provides non-Medicare Benefits Schedule incentive payments to community based general practices, private psychiatrist services and other appropriate organisations (such as Divisions of General Practice) who engage mental health nurses to assist in the provision of coordinated clinical care for people with severe mental disorders. It forms part of the Australian Government's component of the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006 - 2011.
Responsibility for the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program rests with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
Close and effective collaboration between mental health nurses, general practitioners and psychiatrists in the delivery of clinical support and services in the community will:
- improve levels of care for people with severe mental disorders;
- reduce the likelihood of unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions for people with severe mental disorders; and
- assist in keeping people with severe mental disorders well, and feeling connected within the community.
Who will benefit?
The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program will help alleviate pressure from privately practicing psychiatrists and general practitioners, allowing them increased time to see more patients and deal with patients with complex health care needs.
The program will also expand the roles and responsibilities for community based mental health nurses in Australia, and create an alternative career pathway for mental health nurses within the community sector.
What will the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program deliver?
The Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program will help community based patients with a severe mental illness get the right services at the right time, assisting to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions/readmissions.
How will it work?
Mental health nurses will work in collaboration with private psychiatrists and general practitioners to provide services such as:
- periodic reviews of patients' mental states;
- medication monitoring and management;
- information on physical healthcare to patients; and
- integrated services from GPs, psychiatrists and allied health workers (such as psychologists) including arranging access to interventions from other health professionals when these are required.
Services will be provided in a range of settings, such as in clinics or patients' homes, and are to be provided at little or no cost to the patient.
When did the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program start?
The Program commenced on 1 July 2007.
Further information
Please visit the Medicare Australia website at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/incentives/mental-health.jsp.
Page currency, Latest update: 10 May, 2007